Nikkan Sports is reporting that Toshiya Sugiuchi will meet with the Softbank Hawks today to formally turn down their offer in order to join the Yomiuri Giants. Sugiuchi has already apparently spoken to Sadaharu Oh and Koji Akiyama.

UPDATE @ 11:16am - Sponichi is reporting that Sugiuchi visited the Hawks earlier this morning with his agent and informed the team of his decision to leave. He is now expected to head to Tokyo in order to meet with the Giants.

UPDATE @ 2:12pm - Nikkan Sports is carrying the following comment from Sugiuchi: "There was talk of me ending my career with the Hawks, but a little something happened last year that made me think twice. During salary negotiations last year, they said something along the lines that even if I opted for free agency, no team would be interested in me. I just could not bring myself back [to the way things were]."

Sanspo notes that before the championship parade, Sugiuchi was about 90% sure he was going to leave. He started wavering when fans called for his return during the parade and ultimately had hard time making his decision.

Sponichi has posted the following comment from acting owner Kazuhiko Kasai: "We did our best to keep [Sugiuchi], but unfortunately we could not. He made a really tough decision and we hope he continues to do well."